US President Donald Trump has confirmed that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk restored Ukraine’s Starlink access, but declined to say whether he personally contacted the billionaire to discuss the issue.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, October 22, Trump was asked about a Wall Street Journal report claiming he had called Musk to request the removal of restrictions on Ukraine’s use of the satellite internet service.
“I don’t want to comment on it, whether I called or whether somebody else called, doesn’t make any difference, I guess. The bottom line – he put it back,” Trump said, without providing further details.
Ukraine relies on Starlink for battlefield communications and drone operations, making the satellite network important to its military activities against Russia. Restrictions on the service had disrupted Ukrainian attack and air defence drone missions.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Starlink was operating more normally on Thursday following the alleged conversation between Trump and Musk. However, some Ukrainian officials told the newspaper that the system had not returned to full functionality, although speeds had improved compared with the restrictions previously imposed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier on Thursday that Starlink speeds had not been fully restored in Ukraine. He also expressed hope that talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would take place in the coming days.
According to the newspaper, Trump had expressed frustration to Musk over the continued limits on Starlink speeds. However, Trump has denied involvement in the decision to restrict the service.
Rubio said on Wednesday that decisions concerning Ukraine’s access to Starlink rested with SpaceX and Musk rather than the White House.
Relations between Zelenskyy and Washington have deteriorated further following Trump’s announcement of a deal to purchase Russian diesel and his decision to waive new sanctions on Moscow. Trump has also urged Kyiv to stop attacking Russian oil refineries and called on Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy.
Meanwhile, Russia launched ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv on Thursday, while Ukraine sent hundreds of drones towards Moscow, as both sides continued their strikes despite renewed US efforts to end the war.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Trump promised to end the conflict after taking office, but that goal has so far remained elusive.
